Driving in Tuscany, scenic route or highway???

OK, we we are based in Siena, doing day trips to San Gimignaon, Volterra, Montepulciano, Montalcino...maybe Cortona.. thanks!

I don't think it's going to make much of a difference as all the places you want to go are really quite close to Siena. Personally I'd do the scenic thing as you will be able to go at your own pace and will potentially stumble across all sorts of interesting things.

That sounds great! Thanks!

Absolutely the scenic route, so that you can stop and take photos. That is not possible on the major roads. getting from A to B can be as beautiful as sights in the town of choice.

Gina, do NOT miss driving the Chiantigiana SR222 at least to Greve-in-chianti. Take some of the side roads thru Castellina, Gaiole, Badia di Passignano, dine in the small hamlet of Lornano, etc... By the way Volterra is a wonderful town and not anywhere as touristy as San Gimignano, great shops, terrific Etruscan musueum, reasonable sidewalk cafes,and loads of history. Montepulciano is also fun and a good walk up to the main paizza.

Gina,
I have been marking my map (Touring Club Italiano-Toscana) with scenic routes and most of them I found on slow travel website. (slowtravel.com\italy) There are several pictures along with the routes and some even tell you what time of day would be the best to take pictures etc.... Look for Pienza, head south to Biancacamicia then to Monticchiello, Bartolomeo which is close to Montepulciano. I can't see the number on my map. Rick Steves Florence/Tuscany book has some drives through Crete Senese, page 382 of his 2008 book.

Dana

Gina- Rick talks about the Crete Senese drive from Siena to Montalcino.We took that drive last Nov and it was great.If you dont have the details contact me and Ill give them to you,It is a very nice routs.jack in wisc.